Barrett Jackson Prices
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
As someone who collected quite a few classic muscle cars, primarily Mustangs and Camaros, I am very happy to have kicked the habit. I sold all of them and will never purchase another.
While they are fun to look at, they just aren't very much fun to drive. Every modern sporty car puts them to shame. Moreover, sitting around at car shows is about the most boring thing I've ever done in my life.
While they are fun to look at, they just aren't very much fun to drive. Every modern sporty car puts them to shame. Moreover, sitting around at car shows is about the most boring thing I've ever done in my life.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
I was shocked that the last car to cross the block was a '67 Corvette coupe with a 327 and 4-speed that went for $50,000. That was a good deal to me.
I lived in Scottsdale until 1999. I think it was $25 to get through the gate. And I believe it was $50 to get inside the auction tent and sit way in the back, but that may have been part of general admission. I do know it cost $200 to sit directly behind where the bidders sat. There were plenty of cars for sale outside the gates. I normally just checked out all the cars you could see for free.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 339
Likes: 40
I went to Barrett Jackson and Russo Steele 4 years ago looking for a first generation Camaro, Didn't buy the first year and by the next year they had gone out of site and that is why I ended up with a new C7.
Went to the drags down there and saw a new C7 at one of the vendors. The rest is history.
Best decision I ever made on a car
Went to the drags down there and saw a new C7 at one of the vendors. The rest is history.
Best decision I ever made on a car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,136
Likes: 672
Yup, like the stock market or real estate, if you know what you're doing, if you buy the right cars at the right price, you can make some serious money. I mentioned the Leith auction before. I've been there several times. I see some serious buyers who go there to buy raw material. Cars that need more detailing or complete restoration but are worth way more fully restored than what they pay at this local auction. Very interesting to watch. I know enough to know I can't play in that league. It's not the money, I just don't know which cars to buy and like any market, you can lose plenty if you're not an expert.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,136
Likes: 672
Big money in the resto-mod category. C1 shells on custom frames with GM LS crate motors were bringing a quarter million plus. Insane for something that has zip investment value. If you could resell it, half might be a best case. And the resell market for these cars is non existent today. 
At BJ, the buyer pays a 10% premium on top of their winning bid price. Added to the 10% seller's commission, BJ make 20% on each sale. Not a bad gig. $30-50 per ticket at the door to get in, parking, concessions, and retail vendor spaces. It is an annual slot machine pull in Scottsdale that just keeps coming up all Cherries All Ways.
At BJ, the buyer pays a 10% premium on top of their winning bid price. Added to the 10% seller's commission, BJ make 20% on each sale. Not a bad gig. $30-50 per ticket at the door to get in, parking, concessions, and retail vendor spaces. It is an annual slot machine pull in Scottsdale that just keeps coming up all Cherries All Ways.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 194
From: So Cal
A sage old saying, however I have never put much faith in it as people pay more and less than items are "worth" every day. The broad market for an item determines it's true "worth", not what a single individual will pay at a specific location under any number of circumstances that can impact a specific sale.
I agree, it's kind of like comparing the 'Gator Bowl' to the 'Super Bowl' not to take anything away from the 'Gator Bowl'.
I agree, it's kind of like comparing the 'Gator Bowl' to the 'Super Bowl' not to take anything away from the 'Gator Bowl'.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 642
Likes: 144
From: Chandler AZ
I have been to BJ in Scottsdale many times as I live in a suburb nearby. The charity cars always go for a lot of money and if they don't, Craig will usually get on the mic and influence the money to start flowing. Additionally, it is SO much of a 'look at me and how much money I have,' scene in Scottsdale & BJ, which also turns the bidding into a pissing contest (anyone remember that Shelby that sold for ~$5M back in 2007?).
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,415
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Yes, there were some absolutely insane prices paid for some of those cars. Was a good time to be a seller.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 5
From: Newtown Square Pa.
Does BJ guarantee a particular car in anyway?Let say they describe the
car as numbers matching.How does the buyer in fact know if this is
the case.The announcers dont go into much detail on this.Is there
more of a description in the catalogue
car as numbers matching.How does the buyer in fact know if this is
the case.The announcers dont go into much detail on this.Is there
more of a description in the catalogue
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
I was at B-J Scottsdale the last 6 years but passed for '18. Re matching numbers on Corvettes, the NCRS did have a program of sorts in place that at least verified some things including the level of award it received. Of course NCRS, like Bloomington Gold, cannot absolutely guarantee anything. They can just say that on a given day this car received this award based on its' presentation for judging at the time. After that, repro parts could be substituted for OEM ones. I didn't hear it mentioned in the TV coverage this year so maybe that has changed. I've owned a number of muscle cars in the day when they were new, and couldn't bring myself to hand over the amount of cash required to buy some of them today. The newer stuff is faster, more comfortable, handles better, etc. Granted, many have a great look to them, but driving is a whole other thing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
I've owned a number of muscle cars in the day when they were new, and couldn't bring myself to hand over the amount of cash required to buy some of them today. The newer stuff is faster, more comfortable, handles better, etc. Granted, many have a great look to them, but driving is a whole other thing.
Pretty much rattle traps after a year or two, rust buckets, and about three complete revolutions of the steering wheel to get to the stop. IMO, Much of those good ole days are best relived through our memories rather than the actual cars.
